Cathay Pacific lounges through the years

Stepping into Cathay Pacific’s Discovery Lounge in 1970 felt worlds away from the bustle of the airport beyond: a discreet entrance, a brass doorbell and a glamorous host ushering guests through the door.

Opened at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Airport that year, the Discovery Lounge marked the beginning of our lounge story. Access was reserved for Marco Polo Club members and invited guests, who settled into plush sofas beside wooden desks and glass-topped tables stocked with magazines. A glass of champagne in hand, travellers found a welcoming place to unwind before departure.

As our network grew, we brought the Hong Kong lounge concept to airports across the region, beginning with Osaka Itami in 1971. That first Osaka lounge accommodated just six guests, lending it the atmosphere of a private salon.

From Kai Tak to a new era of airport lounges

Air travel was evolving rapidly and our spaces were created around the needs of our customers. In 1992, we unveiled a 23,000sq ft First class lounge at Kai Tak, the largest in Asia at the time. Panoramic windows offered spectacular views of aircraft on the runway, while guests enjoyed refreshments from an extensive buffet. Business travellers had access to conference rooms, phone booths and workstations, alongside a business centre equipped with the latest communications technology of the day.

The move to the new Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok in 1998 called for a contemporary lounge for the new millennium. Created by pioneering designer John Pawson in collaboration with Foster + Partners , The Wing introduced an aesthetic centred on comfort, openness and a sense of place. Light-filled interiors flowed naturally into the architecture of the airport itself.

The Wing and the modern Cathay Pacific lounge experience

Many of the features that define our lounges today first appeared at The Wing. The marble-clad Long Bar became an airside destination, while the now-signature Noodle Bar established a dining experience rooted in Hong Kong. First class customers could retreat to private day suites, refresh in spacious shower rooms or browse a carefully curated library. The Pier followed in 2001, The Bridge in 2013 and The Deck in 2018, each advancing the lounge experience.

Our lounge portfolio is growing steadily, with each space planned strategically in select destinations. In 2019, we introduced our contemporary concept to the Chinese Mainland with the reopening of our Shanghai Pudong lounge, adopting the blueprint developed by our long-standing London-based partner, Studioilse . Our groundbreaking residential interiors, locally inspired dining and signature Cathay Pacific touches brought heightened comfort and wellbeing to one of our busiest international gateways.

Reimagining airport lounges for comfort, dining and wellbeing

In that same spirit of progression, recent years have seen major renovations of The Wing, First; The Bridge and our Beijing lounge, as well as planned new lounges at Tokyo Narita and New York JFK. “Our revamped lounges are designed to be your home away from home, with comfortable open areas for dining and socialising as well as spaces for private relaxation,” says Marcus Lui, Head of End-to-End Customer Experience and Strategy at Cathay Pacific.

Last year, we welcomed back The Bridge, a passenger favourite reimagined with original artworks from our Gallery in the skies collection and thoughtfully conceived spaces for different moments of the journey. Among them is The Nook, a welcoming dining destination serving Chinese small plates, bakery treats and regional favourites.

The Wing, First reopened this spring following a comprehensive redesign by Studioilse – and was promptly named the World’s Best First Class Lounge in the 2026 Skytrax World Airline Awards. The elegantly residential space introduces enhanced dining, wellness and work facilities, setting a new benchmark for premium travel.

A sense of place across the Cathay Pacific network

Today’s lounges pair bespoke wood and stone architecture and furnishings with a warm residential aesthetic, soft lighting and carefully chosen scents. Each lounge evokes a sense of place, incorporating touches that connect guests with local culture. Visitors to our Beijing lounge can enjoy freshly brewed oolong at the Teahouse, while guests at The Bridge in Hong Kong can select steamed buns and cheung fun from the dim sum trolley in the dining room.

Across our network, the purpose behind our lounges remains unchanged: creating safe, inspiring harbours where you can relax, recharge and prepare for the journey ahead.